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Cheddar Everything Bagel Swirl Sourdough Bread

This easy cheddar everything bagel swirl sourdough bread turns a plain proofed loaf into a savory swirl bread right before baking, using cheddar cheese powder for a clean swirl in every slice.
Course: Bread, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cheddar everything bagel sourdough, cheddar sourdough loaf, cheese swirl sourdough bread, easy sourdough recipe, everything bagel sourdough, savory sourdough bread
Servings: 12 slices
Calories: 150kcal
Author: Noelle Reed

Equipment

  • Digital Kitchen Scale
  • Banneton or proofing basket
  • Two 10 by 5 inch loaf pans or two 9 by 5 loaf pans
  • Parchment paper
  • Kitchen scissors
  • Bread lame
  • Instant read thermometer

Ingredients

For the Sourdough Loaf

  • 75 grams active sourdough starter 1/3 cup
  • 350 grams room temperature filtered water 1 1/2 cups
  • 500 grams bread flour 4 cups
  • 10 grams salt 1 3/4 teaspoons

For the Savory Swirl Filling

  • 2 tablespoons cheddar cheese powder 15 to 20 grams
  • 1 tablespoon everything bagel seasoning about 15 grams, plus more or less to taste

Instructions

  • Mix the flour, starter, and water together until a rough, shaggy dough forms. Cover and let rest for 1 hour.
  • Add the salt using wet hands, working it into the dough until fully incorporated.
  • Perform stretch and folds every hour for 3 hours, then let the dough bulk ferment covered at room temperature until it has increased in size by 50 to 70 percent and jiggles when gently shaken.
  • Lightly flour your work surface, turn the dough out, and pre shape it into a round. Let it rest seam side down for 20 to 30 minutes.
  • Shape the dough into a boule, place it seam side up in a banneton, and cover. Cold proof in the refrigerator for 8 to 12 hours.
  • When you are ready to bake, tip the cold loaf out of the banneton onto your hand or a square of parchment, then flip it back over onto a piece of parchment, so the smooth side faces up and the rougher bottom faces down toward your work surface. You will cut into the bottom so the smooth top stays intact.
  • Slice down through the loaf, three times, then go back through those slices with kitchen scissors to cut them into sections, opening up the interior.
  • Sprinkle the everything bagel seasoning down into the cuts first, then dust the cheddar cheese powder over it. Spread the powder thin and even, with no deep pockets in any one spot.
    Sourdough loaf covered in cheddar cheese powder and everything bagel seasoning before rolling
  • Starting at one end, gently roll the loaf up into a log, taking care not to deflate it. But make sure its snug. Tuck the end underneath to seal.
  • Set the rolled loaf on parchment and lower it into a parchment lined 10 by 5 inch loaf pan. Place a second loaf pan upside down on top to create a mini Dutch oven.
  • Bake at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 9 minutes with the lid on.
  • Remove from the oven, take off the top pan, and score one line down the center of the loaf. Replace the lid and bake for 25-30 minutes.
  • Remove the lid and bake for a final 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 190 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Let the loaf cool for 3 to 4 hours before slicing.

Notes

Use Cheese Powder, Not Shredded Cheese
This is the secret to a clean swirl. Shredded cheese melts, pools, and leaves large tunnels in the crumb. Cheddar cheese powder is dry, so it stays put and bakes into a defined swirl. Choose a powder with cheddar cheese as the first ingredient for the best flavor. If adding shredded cheddar it may cause gapping, but i would keep it around 1/4 cup.
How to Apply the Filling
Layer the everything bagel seasoning into the cuts first, then dust the cheese powder over it. Keep the powder thin and even across all the cuts, with no deep pockets in any one spot, for a swirl that runs through every slice. The everything bagel seasoning can be adjusted up or down depending on how much flavor you like.
Bake to Temperature
Bake until the internal temperature reaches 190 degrees Fahrenheit for a fully baked crumb.
Storage
Store the cooled loaf at room temperature in a bread bag for 3 to 4 days. For longer storage, slice the loaf first and freeze the slices, then toast straight from frozen whenever you want one.
Make Ahead
The dough is made ahead by design. After shaping, cold proof the loaf in the refrigerator for 8 to 12 hours, then add the filling and bake whenever you are ready.
Substitutions
You can swap the everything bagel seasoning for dehydrated onion or dehydrated garlic, or leave it out for a straightforward cheddar swirl. Cheese powder brands vary, so check labels for allergen and cross contamination information.
For any questions, refer back to the full blog post where each step is explained in detail. Question about the sourdough bread its self, check out my blog post for that. Easy Sourdough Bread Recipe for Beginners
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